The main success of a mobile device in a business tends to depend on three things.  If you want to see Android officially inserted into your company, here is my advice on how to get your organization to embrace the platform we love so much.

1.) Make sure someone in IT is an Android user:

This is the hardest part of the implementation.  Make sure you find someone that is the “mobility person” (maybe two!). This way they have a bit of leverage.  If you are a vendor of Android phones, this is a great “foot in the door.”  If your “IT guy” of choice does not have an android device, buy him/her one or get them a 30-day demo from a vendor.  An IT guy will gladly play with a device for 30 days no matter what it is.  Just explain to them that has to be the primary device for at least two weeks.  When said “IT Guy” gets the opportunity to use a device in its full spectrum, he/she will adapt to it.  The first thing he/she will want to do is hook it up the email system and get email, calendar, and contacts.  Once that is done, daily usage will start to take off.  Getting a champion inside of the tech organization is the first step to IT supporting the device.

When your “IT guy” gets rolling on the device, it is imperative to interact with them and share information and tips on that device.  Direct them to websites that talk about Android (maybe this awesome one for instance) that way they can see what else is in the world of Android.  Show them the Android Market and App Review sites.  They will also need to get information on cool apps that you have encountered.  After that, they will be downloading apps and making discoveries on their own.

Once they have fallen in love with the phone, the other IT personnel will want to get a device for themselves out of envy.  This is when they will officially bless the device as a supported solution!

2.) Find other Android fans and bind them together!

This is easier than you think!  Make a Google Group and share the URL with every Android fan you encounter (don’t forget that IT Guy)!  This will start discussions and information sharing on an epic level.  Everyone is always looking for great tweaks and apps!  Make sure you moderate it well.  Make the IT guy the “King of Android” (this will help in step 1).  The IT guy will announce settings for email, etc.  Users can also use this as a support mechanism until Android is officially supported (see step 1).

3.) Show an Executive.

Executives can drive things at a faster pace.  Get them the top of the line device.  Set it up for them.  Contact them every few days to make sure they are still using it and to answer any questions.  Once they fall in love with Android, they will also push IT, Purchasing, etc. to officially support the Android devices.

So there you have it, three simple steps to get any company to support Android!